Luby's shareholders approve liquidation plan

If the company receives an offer for a corporate transaction that would result in superior value to stockholders, the dissolution plan could be abandoned.

By Julie Littman • Updated Nov. 18, 2020

Chuck E. Cheese parent emerges from bankruptcy protection

The company reduced debt obligations by roughly $705 million, and has more than $100 million of liquidity to fund operations and growth plans.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Jan. 4, 2021

Buffalo Wild Wings sells season passes to feed and entertain NFL fans

The chain returns to experiential marketing with an effort to appeal to customers who are eager to return to normal activities and those who are sticking close to home.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 4, 2020

Hurricane Isaias' impact on restaurant sales hint at what to expect this winter

During the storm, which hit the East Coast during the first week of August, regional restaurant sales dropped by 11%. Connecticut, New Jersey and New York were the most impacted states. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 4, 2020

El Pollo Loco's GPS-enabled curbside pickup expands digital channels

Beginning Sept. 28, customers can order curbside pickup online or through a revamped Loco Rewards app, building on the chicken chain's long-term e-commerce strategy. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 4, 2020

Restaurant owners growing restless with disparate state opening plans

California and New Jersey just released new reopening plans, while New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio promises to have an answer within the next few weeks. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 3, 2020

Burger King to build mobile-focused restaurant model in 2021

The fast food chain's designs feature a drive-in, curbside pickup, mobile takeout lockers and a suspended kitchen that can deliver food to drive-thru customers using a conveyor belt. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 3, 2020

Drive-thru traffic increased 26% during dining room closures, report says

Drive-thru visits represented 42% of all restaurant visits from April to June and increased 13% even after dining rooms began to open in July, according to data from The NPD Group. 

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 2, 2020

Potbelly taps Checkers veteran for COO

Adam Noyes joins the sandwich chain during a tough year in which revenues decreased nearly 50% and same-store sales declined in the double-digits.

By Rosie Bradbury • Sept. 2, 2020

After 'sucker punch' from coronavirus, breakfast concept First Watch leans into off-premise

The pandemic halted the fast-growing brand's momentum, but CEO Chris Tomasso said quick pivots into online ordering and creating hospitable, socially distant dining rooms helped it recover.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 2, 2020

27 Black former franchisees join racial discrimination case against McDonald's

The amended complaint now contains 77 named plaintiffs and includes nearly 300 stores with compensatory damages averaging between $4 million to $5 million per location. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Nov. 18, 2020

Mastercard expands AI drive-thru testing to White Castle

Building on its pilot at Sonic Drive-In, the credit card company's latest AI Powered Drive Through platform will enable QSRs to use vehicle recognition and voice ordering. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 1, 2020

Golden Gate Capital sells remaining stake in Red Lobster

The sale could help the chain recoup some capital as it looks to improve its balance sheet and pay a looming $180 million loan that is due July 2021.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 31, 2020

How 13 casual chains fared during dining room closures

Casual dining restaurants leaned heavily on technology, off-premise and cleanliness standards to try and bring customers back as restrictions eased across the country.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 31, 2020

Chicago outdoor dining challenge to help restaurants survive winter

The city is crowdsourcing design ideas for outdoor seating to help restaurants as winter approaches and the pandemic stretches on.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 31, 2020

H-E-B's food hall at Austin, Texas, store to offer takeout and delivery

The space will feature a full-service bar and five restaurants with limited capacity dine-in. 

By Jessica Dumont • Aug. 28, 2020

Saladworks to expand footprint with Chowbotics' robot

The $35,000 salad-making robot will help the chain save on labor and expand into nontraditional spaces like hospitals, universities and grocery stores. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 27, 2020

How El Pollo Loco tripled digital sales in 2020 by modernizing its marketing

CEO Bernard Acoca explained how the restaurant brand revitalized its marketing after spending 98% of its media budget on TV and print just a few years ago.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 27, 2020

CDC: Panic buttons, safe areas can protect employees from customer violence over COVID-19 policies

The agency's updated guidance also suggests employers should provide training on workplace violence response and install security systems.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 26, 2020

Judge OKs lawsuit by businesses seeking COVID-19-related insurance claims

In a first, restaurants and other businesses hit by pandemic shutdowns can move forward on legal efforts to get insurers to pay on business interruption policies.

By Robert Freedman • Aug. 25, 2020

Panera adds online ordering through Google

Guests can browse for and order curbside pickup or delivery through Google Search, Maps and Assistant. It's also offering contactless payment methods. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 25, 2020

US Foods joins growing list of ghost kitchen services to help with off-premise push

The foodservice distributor and ShiftPixy both recently launched resources for restaurants to streamline operations and market toward delivery.

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 21, 2020

Taco Bell is launching a mobile-focused, double drive-thru model in 2021

The QSR's new concept will feature a smaller footprint, a priority pickup lane for diners who order via its app and "bellhops" that will offer tablet ordering at the drive-thru and curbside pickup areas. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 20, 2020

HMSHost to lay off at least 3,000 airport restaurant workers

Employees furloughed in March face permanent job cuts if not recalled by Oct. 15. "There is no short-term end in sight to the economic crisis," a company spokesperson said. 

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 19, 2020

Pizza Hut's largest franchisee zeroes in on Red Roof dine-in format in its store closures

NPC International, which filed for bankruptcy in July, said it will close up to 300 locations and will reallocate employee resources to "thriving locations." 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 18, 2020